Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Colonie
Trash Day
Curbside trash collection is not provided as a municipal service by the Town of Colonie; residents must contract with a licensed private hauler (such as County Waste, Republic Services, or Robert Wright Disposal) or self-haul to the Town Landfill Residential Convenience Station. Collection days depend on your private hauler.
Recycling
Recycling schedule is determined by your chosen private hauler, or recyclables can be brought directly to the Town Landfill Residential Recycling Station.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste and brush collection runs seasonally from April through late November according to assigned fire district zones. Residents can also drop off yard waste free of charge at the Town Landfill.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Town utility bills cover Latham Water District water and Pure Waters sewer maintenance. Trash collection is not included on town utility bills and must be paid directly to your private hauler.
Billing Cycle
Bi-annually
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior Citizen exemptions and HEAP utility assistance programs are available for eligible low-income seniors through the Town Senior Resources Department.
Varies by private hauler (Village DPW accepts standard 32-gallon cans) Bin (Trash)
Village residents must use 32-gallon cans or heavy-duty tied bags (max 40 lbs) placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. Town residents must follow their private carter's specific bin rules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food packaging
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
Varies by private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Town residents will have single or dual-stream guidelines provided by their private hauler. Village residents must keep paper separate from commingled containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Cardboard and paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags (max 40 lbs) or rigid containers marked with Town stickers. Branches must be tied in bundles under 4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Lawn clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant debris
- ✓Branches and brush (up to 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by Private Hauler
Placement
Village residents may not set out bulky items before 7:00 p.m. the night before their scheduled collection. Town residents must follow their private carter's placement instructions.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rolled carpets (depending on hauler rules)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (E-waste)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Large quantities of building/concrete debris
- ✕ Tires
Private haulers usually charge an additional fee for bulk items. Alternatively, residents can transport bulk waste directly to the Colonie Landfill for a disposal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Town Landfill and administrative offices close on these major holidays. For household trash, holiday delays depend entirely on your private carter's schedule. Village DPW schedules delay by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
If a legal holiday falls on a collection day, the municipal yard waste pick-up for all fire districts may be shifted to another day during that same week.
Always refer to your private hauler's website for their specific holiday operations regarding household garbage.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
May - AugustFinished yard waste compost is available free of charge to Colonie residents at the Landfill Residential Convenience Station on Arrowhead Lane starting in early May. It is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Autumn
September - DecemberTown-wide leaf and yard waste collection continues through mid-December (weather permitting). Ensure your leaves are bagged in biodegradable paper to guarantee pickup before snow arrives.
Winter
December - AprilCurbside yard waste collection is suspended. Additionally, the Town Landfill operates on reduced Saturday hours (7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) from October through May.
Local Tips & Community Info
Colonie Residential Trash Collection Overview
In the Town of Colonie, garbage collection procedures vary depending on whether you reside within the Village of Colonie or the broader Town limits. For residents living within the Village of Colonie, curbside trash and recycling pickup is managed by the Village Department of Public Works (DPW). The cost for this service is conveniently included in your local taxes, meaning no extra out-of-pocket fees are required for standard weekly collection. If you live in the greater Town of Colonie outside the Village boundaries, you will need to arrange for private sanitation services. Local private carters such as Robert Wright Disposal and Waste Connections offer competitive rates for weekly curbside rubbish removal. All municipal solid waste from the area is typically routed to the Town of Colonie Landfill located on Cohoes Road.
Single Stream Recycling Rules in Colonie
The Village of Colonie utilizes a single-stream recycling system to make environmental conservation as easy as possible. This means residents do not need to separate their materials; all clean glass bottles, plastic containers, paper, and flattened cardboard can go directly into one recycling bin. Remember to rinse all food residue from your recyclables before tossing them in the container. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited in the recycling bins, as they can severely jam the sorting machines at the local facility. Recycling should be placed at the curb on the exact same morning as your regular garbage collection to keep neighborhood aesthetics tidy.
Bulk Waste and Heavy Item Disposal
Do you have a large couch, mattress, or broken appliance that won't fit into your regular garbage cart? The Village of Colonie DPW provides residents with the opportunity to schedule one heavy-item pickup per year. To arrange for your annual bulk waste collection, residents must call the DPW directly at 518-869-6372 to schedule an appointment and review the accepted items list. For Town residents using private haulers, you will need to contact your specific sanitation provider to ask about their bulk waste fees. Alternatively, residents can transport bulk items directly to the Colonie Landfill on Cohoes Road, which accepts municipal solid waste and large debris for a designated fee based on weight.
Yard Waste Collection and Brush Pickup
Managing seasonal yard debris is an important part of keeping Colonie neighborhoods clean. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, the Village DPW collects brush, leaves, and lawn clippings. Residents should place yard waste in biodegradable paper bags or open containers, ensuring no plastic bags are mixed in with the natural debris. Branches and limbs must be cut to manageable lengths and bundled securely. Leaf collection is considered a three-season job by the local DPW, helping to prevent storm drain blockages and maintaining the pristine look of our local community streets.
Proper Bin Placement and Holiday Schedule Delays
To ensure a seamless pickup process, all trash and recycling containers should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Ensure the opening of the bin faces the street and keep the containers at least three feet apart. Bins should also be placed away from parked cars, mailboxes, and utility poles so that the collection trucks can safely access them. In the event of a major public holiday, your collection schedule may be pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. Always check the official Village of Colonie or your private carter's website to stay updated on temporary route changes during the holidays.
Drop-off Facilities
Colonie Landfill & Residential Convenience Station
4 Arrowhead Lane, Cohoes, NY 12047
Materials Accepted
Colonie Compost Drop Off Site
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 510 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my garbage wasn't picked up in Colonie?
If you live in the Village and your trash was missed, ensure your bins were out by 6:00 AM. You can contact the Village DPW at 518-869-6372. Town residents should call their respective private sanitation provider to report a missed collection.
How do I recycle electronics and hazardous waste in Colonie?
Electronics and household hazardous waste cannot go in your standard curbside bin. The Town of Colonie periodically hosts special drop-off events. You must check the Town of Colonie Environmental Services website to preregister for hazardous waste disposal dates.
Does the Colonie Landfill accept drop-offs from the general public?
Yes, the Colonie Landfill, managed by Waste Connections and located at 1319 Loudon Road in Cohoes, accepts drop-offs from the general public. Disposal rates vary based on the type and exact weight of the materials you are dropping off.